SEAN PROCTOR | sproctor@mdn.netRachel Gaffney, program coordinator for Express Yourself Artshop, helps Colleen Dolan, of Midland, put an apron on Monday afternoon before their ceramics class at Creative 360. The new program encourages people to express themselves through their artwork, offering a variety of classes including ceramics, paper crafts, photography and metal smithing. less

Creative 360 has managed to hold a special place in the hearts of many Midlanders for years, and for good reason. As an outlet and collection for many things artistic, Creative 360 has been fostering area artists of many genres since its inception in 1994. In almost 20 years, the former Creative Spirit Center has evolved to what is now the present day Creative 360. And now, the haven for all things art in Midland is evolving again with the creation of the new Express Yourself Artshop. Classes began on Sept. 16.

On Thursday, Sept. 12, Creative 360 opened its doors to welcome the public to the grand opening of the organization’s latest project. Staff, volunteers and others close to the project welcomed a steady stream of visitors eager to see the many offerings of the Express Yourself Workshop and witness the ribbon-cutting event.

“We estimated we had between 250-300 people attend,” said Kathy Dolan, a member of the The Ark board of directors. “As I looked around and visited with many attending, I saw every committee member and artist or teacher sharing about the program with someone.” Dolan, who has been with The Arc for more than 10 years, is happy to see a program fill the void left by the closure of the Greater Midland Society for Arts Education. The GMS finished its last class in late summer, much to the disappointment of many who enjoyed and even came to rely on the program.

The team at Creative 360 knew they needed someone special to help helm their latest effort. With that in mind, they brought on Rachel Gaffney, a recent Wayne State University graduate with a master’s degree in art therapy. Gaffney, who recently moved from her hometown of Port Huron to Midland, will be serving as the program coordinator for the new effort.

“We are very excited to have an art therapy graduate here for the program,” said Linda Z. Smith, Creative 360 president and cofounder.

Gaffney said that with the closure of the GMS program, many people who had depended on the art offerings were set adrift.

“We (Creative 360) were looking at how we could fill the gap,” Gaffney said.

Like many of the previous art-centric programs at Creative 360, the Express Yourself Artshop aims to be as inclusive as possible to the area artistic community, regardless of student skill levels or physical challenges.

“This really is open to everyone,” Dolan said.

“What makes this art program different is that we are trying to make it affordable and accessible to everybody,” Gaffney said. “Everyone is welcome to come and learn here.” She went on to say that the challenge of expressing art in a group setting is the fear of judgment or rejection, something people do not need to worry about in the Express Yourself Artshop.

“They don’t have to worry about their skill level,” Gaffney said.

The list of currently available classes at The Express Yourself Workshop is large and will continue to grow, said Smith. Some of the initial offerings of the program include two dimensional drawing, acrylic painting, paper crafts, digital photography, cultural dance, paper crafts, ceramics, yoga, beginning sewing, dapping and wiring and metal smithing and cold connection jewelry. Smith said that as interest grows, more classes will be added.

“We are already thinking about what we can add to the program,” Smith said.

Smith went on to say that the pricing tiers for the individual classes will vary based on content and supplies. “Some of the consumers will receive funding through their individual programs,” Smith said. Sponsorship programs are available for those looking to donate.

Artshop committee member Mark Oliver offered his thoughts on the new program along with what he feels entities like Artshop offer to the greater community. Oliver, who had spent time with GMS, was worried where people who have come to rely on art therapy programs would find their creative outlets.

Oliver has written several novels to date, something he credits to programs like GMS.

“GMS gave me the confidence to speak to people,” Oliver said. “I love the arts. Art really helps a lot of people and it has helped me.”

Oliver is not shy about discussing some of his personal mental health struggles and how his involvement in the arts helped him. Again, he credits much of his progress to being able to write, teach and volunteer in a program like those previously offered at GMS. He has high hopes for the new offerings at 360.

“I’ve wanted to get back into a program like this since 2009,” Oliver said. “And now I can.”

The list of area organizations that are supporting the new program in a number of different ways is staggering. Presently, The Arnold Center, The Arc of Midland, Disability Network of Mid-Michigan, the Midland Community Center, Community Mental Health for Central Michigan, Creative 360, InMotion Dance Academy, People First, Children’s Therapy Center, Midland Center for the Arts, the former Greater Midland Society for Arts Education (GMS), Stuart T. Wilson CPA PC, and many artists, art teachers and community volunteers can all be considered friends of the new program.

“But we are always looking for more sponsors,” laughed Smith.

Another component that makes this new program exciting is the speed at which it was brought to fruition. The effort to get things started became real in January of this year.

“So many people believed in what we wanted to do here and get involved,” Smith said. “We have organizations contacting us daily about what they can do to help. A lot of that is because Midland is a place that supports the arts.”